I have lost count of how many times I have read “A Room With a View” by
E.M. Forster. I have never tired of reading it, and in fact, this week’s theme
at the Daily Fast Fuel has reminded me that I am due for another round. It is
my favorite book of all time. It should come as no surprise that my favorite
book was introduced to me by one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Laura Hunt. I
was a boarding student at St. Catherine’s School when I heard Mrs. Hunt welcome
us to class on our first day with a vision that went something like this:

The power and mystery of reading literature of
old is that you can find your heart and soul connecting with the words written
by someone hundreds of years ago…and then minds meld across the centuries!

She had me. And when she recommended the aforementioned Forester “favorite”
to me, I tore into it loving every moment. “A Room With a View” was written in
1908 (so not exactly centuries old, but never you mind…). It is the story of
young Lucy Honeychurch evolving from a dormant life of predictable expectations
to one alive with passion and adventure. I love Lucy.

My much-loved copy of “A Room With a View” has been dog-eared and
written in and is full of underlined fabulous quotes such as, “Do you suppose
there’s any difference between spring in nature and spring in man?” Or my
personal favorite, Mr. Beebe’s reflection as to the passionate way in which
Lucy plays the piano… “If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it
will be very exciting –both for her and for us.”

Sometimes, when I read the Bible, I think of minds melding across the
centuries. There are just some stories or ideas to be found there that make my heart
stir within me as my soul screams “YES!” in agreement with what I just read. I
love that.

And sometimes, when I read the Bible, I wonder what would happen if I
took to fully live as I believed. What would happen if I threw off the dormancy
of a life of predictable expectations and embraced the life of abundant
possibilities and unexpected adventures which Jesus offers to us? What if?

It might be very exciting.

Here’s to embracing a life of freedom as exciting as a great work of
literature! May it keep you coming back for more…over and over and over again…until
you’ve lost count how many times you’ve embraced it.

Amen.

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